Ship Captain
$110KHigh match
Stable demand
Live · Guide v1.07213 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 7213Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.7213.R.04
7213 · NAVY · WarrantDeck and Navigation
Deck and Navigation
Officer.
Navy 7213 (Deck and Navigation Officer). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $80K–$110K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours recommended in navigation, maritime operations, and leadership.
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 7213 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 7213 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have04
- 01Shiphandling and Navigation→ Understanding complex systems and data analysis
- 02Situational Awareness→ Risk management and strategic planning
- 03Team Synchronization→ Leading and coordinating groups
- 04Procedural Compliance→ Adhering to established rules and guidelines
To learn07
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+SQL for data querying and analysis+Data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI+IT systems analysis methodologies+Software development lifecycle (SDLC) principles+Project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum)+Software testing frameworks (e.g., Selenium, JUnit)+Python fundamentals
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Marine Surveyor
$95KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Accreditation from a recognized marine surveying organization
- — In-depth knowledge of maritime regulations and safety standards
Port Operations Manager
$105KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management knowledge
- — Logistics experience
Maritime Academy Instructor
$80KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Teaching certification or experience
- — Advanced degree in a related field (Maritime Studies, etc.)
Naval Architect
$90KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering
- — CAD software proficiency
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 7213 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
As a Navigation Officer, you constantly maintain awareness of your ship's position, the surrounding environment, potential hazards, and the status of your team, adapting plans as needed to ensure safe and effective navigation.
Transfers to
This translates to a keen ability to understand complex environments, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions in dynamic situations, crucial for strategic planning and risk management.
Rapid Prioritization
On the bridge, you make split-second decisions, prioritizing tasks and allocating resources to address immediate threats, navigational challenges, or equipment malfunctions while maintaining overall operational effectiveness.
Transfers to
You excel at quickly assessing situations, identifying critical issues, and focusing efforts where they matter most, a valuable asset in high-pressure environments requiring quick decision-making and efficient resource allocation.
Team Synchronization
You orchestrate the activities of deck and navigation personnel, ensuring seamless coordination and communication to execute complex maneuvers, respond to emergencies, and maintain the ship's operational readiness.
Transfers to
Your experience in synchronizing team efforts allows you to effectively lead and coordinate groups, foster clear communication, and ensure that all members work together efficiently towards a common goal.
Procedural Compliance
You are responsible for ensuring strict adherence to maritime regulations, safety protocols, and navigational procedures to maintain the safety of the ship and its crew, minimizing risks and ensuring operational effectiveness.
Transfers to
You have a strong understanding of the importance of following established rules and guidelines, meticulously applying procedures and regulations to ensure quality, safety, and compliance in any operational setting.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Emergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to handle crises calmly and efficiently, assess risks, coordinate responses, and lead teams under pressure. Your experience in navigational planning and resource allocation directly translates to disaster preparedness and response.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.04You've been responsible for planning and executing complex operations, managing resources, and coordinating personnel. Your experience in naval operations gives you a unique insight into optimizing supply chains and ensuring the smooth flow of goods.
Adjacent · MatchAir Traffic Controller
SOC 53-2011.00You've developed exceptional situational awareness, decision-making skills, and the ability to manage multiple streams of information simultaneously. Your experience in navigation equips you with the precision and focus needed to safely manage air traffic.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS)
Newport, RI480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours recommended in navigation, maritime operations, and leadership.
Topics · 8
- Shiphandling
- Navigation and Piloting
- Celestial Navigation
- Maritime Law
- Electronic Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar)
- Bridge Resource Management
- Seamanship
- Naval Operations
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)40%
Requires knowledge of advanced safety management techniques, legal and regulatory requirements (OSHA, EPA), risk assessment methodologies beyond standard naval practices, and comprehensive safety program development and implementation.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)30%
Formal project management training including predictive, agile, and hybrid methodologies. Knowledge of PMBOK guide, stakeholder management and advanced risk management principles.
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)20%
Requires an understanding of supply chain management principles, contract negotiation, supplier relationship management, and procurement best practices within a business context. Military logistics experience provides a foundation, but CPSM requires broader business acumen.
Recommended next · 03
- Master Mariner (depending on sea time and experience)Adjacent
- Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO)Adjacent
- Certified Port Executive (CPE)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Bridge System (IBS) | Integrated marine navigation systems (e.g., Transas, Raymarine, Furuno) used on commercial ships and large yachts | Operations |
| Voyage Management System (VMS) | Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) software for route planning and real-time vessel tracking | Operations |
| Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) | Satellite and terrestrial communication systems for maritime safety, including DSC radios, EPIRBs, and SARTs | Operations |
| AN/SPS-73(V) Surface Search Radar | Commercial marine radar systems (e.g., those from Simrad, Garmin) used for collision avoidance and navigation | Signals |
| NAVSSI (Navigation Sensor System Interface) | NMEA 2000 network systems integrating data from multiple navigation sensors on a vessel | Signals |
| Magnetic North Finder | Navigation compass | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 7213 into a resume that ships.
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